Performance testing of woven bamboo basket lined with woven plastic sack and mesh bag for Latundan banana (Musa sapientum) distribution

Abstract

This research study aimed to determine and compare the protective ability of plastic sack and mesh bag as the transport packaging liners for the woven bamboo basket (kaing) against the effects of mechanical damage to Latundan bananas (<i>Musa sapientum</i>) during transit from Brgy. Jayubo, Lambunao, Iloilo to Iloilo Terminal Market. This contains the following series of stages during the overall conduction of the study: the preparation phase, trundling test, performance testing, and data analysis. The effects of mechanical damage are the leading causes of why damages exist on Latundan bananas (<i>Musa sapientum</i>) after distribution. The criteria in considering damage for Latudan bananas observed after transit are: bruises, crushed fingers, and detached fingers from a hand. During the trundling test from Brgy. Jayubo, Lambunao to Iloilo Terminal Market, there was more damage and bruises observed on the plastic sack than the mesh bag. Through performance testing, it was found that there is no significant relationship between the two liner materials. Moreover, bruises are analyzed to be the more prevalent damage among the three criteria. Therefore, the mesh bag is a better liner for kaing in protecting Latundan bananas (<i>Musa sapientum</i>) from mechanical damage during distribution.